Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Amanda Tracy.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I have enjoyed being a Naturopathic Doctor for over 17 years guiding women over 40 to reclaim their bodies, minds and mojo. My unique knowledge and passion flourishes when working with these women who feel their bodies are in chaos because of hormone imbalances, sleep issues, stress or anxiety.
I chose hormone balancing as my specialty because from a young age I had struggled with hormonal issues. Trust me, I’ve been there. In my teens and 20s I had irregular periods that would be on time for months in a row and then disappear for months on end, only to return monthly for no apparent reason! I saw medical doctors, had blood tests and ultrasounds – nothing was ever found and I was told, “everything looked normal.”
Naturally, when I started naturopathic medical school, female hormones and menstrual cycles were of personal interest. I created a regimen for myself using herbs and nutrition to support my hormones but it wasn’t until I fully embraced a plant based diet, got serious about stress management and made sleep a priority in my life that I was able to have regular, monthly periods in my 30s and 40s.
Now that I am in my mid-40s, I focus on supporting women in perimenopause and menopause. I love teaching my patients how they can navigate hormone changes with ease and master their metabolism, sleep deeper, have more energy and always be in a kickass good mood -at any age.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
I learned the most valuable lesson when my business was booming. The patient roster that took years to build was consistent and my schedule was filled, I had an 8 week waiting list for new patients and my wellness clinic was winning awards. A decade of time, energy and effort was paying off however…
On the eve of my 40th birthday, I was driving home from my office late at night and exhausted. I was excited because my boyfriend, Joe, was taking me on a surprise trip for my birthday but I was also so exhausted that all I could barely keep my eyes open and I said to myself, “when we get back from this trip I am going to plan a sabbatical, I really need a break”.
Alas, this thought was too late! My birthday trip was followed by months of reoccurring infections, hair loss, insomnia and eventually my regular monthly periods that I had worked so hard for started to get wonky.
This experience of “burn out” was a wake up call for me that forced me to re-evaluate my lifestyle, dive deeper into the causes of my stress, create work-life balance as well as revamp my nutrition and supplement regimen.
This was in 2017, before “burn out” was mainstream so I needed to create a unique path to heal myself and my business – I hired a business coach, hired staff and brought in another doctor to share the patient load.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Ironically, my experience in 2017 led me to not only heal myself again but also led me to design the type of medical practice I have today – helping women who feel their bodies and minds are in chaos because of hormonal transitions and the constant stress of our modern lives.
Unfortunately, perimenopause and menopause are poorly understood by most doctors, just 20% of Ob-Gyn programs discuss it! I’ve seen the need for better perimenopause medicine grow in the past 15 years and I’m thrilled to be able to specialize in this field. This led me to create my Hormones in Whole Body Harmony Program where I guide women through all aspects of hormone health so they can look and feel their best.
What makes me unique is that I focus on all aspects of perimenopause and menopause, not just hormone levels. I offer women relief from the symptoms that most impact their daily lives – sleep issues, brain fog, bloating, headaches, low energy and irritability in addition to classic hormone symptoms like hot flashes.
Beyond providing women with an integrative approach to their hormone changes, my patients value that I am a great listener and teacher. In recent surveys, over half of women have said their symptoms are ignored or dismissed by their doctors. This is appalling and can lead to a serious health crisis. I pride myself on not being one of those doctors and instead form a deeper relationships with my patients based on trust and understanding.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
My advice would be to have a vision of how your business works for your life and not the other way around. This is how I’ve operated since 2017.
“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet,” said Sarah Louise Delany. For every opportunity that arises, stop and think, is this making your life sweet or sour?
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Being able to say “no” to what doesn’t serve me on a personal and professional level so that I am able to say “yes” to the things that make my soul smile.
What’s next for you?
My Hormones in Whole Body Harmony Program is now open to women all across the US so I am excited to see my work expand in this way.
I have also started writing my first book, Solve Your Perimenopause Puzzle.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Go to my website at www.dramandatracy.com or get my free eBook at PerimenopausePuzzleBook.com